Editor’s Note: The following story shares details of animal abuse that may be disturbing for some readers.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Animal rights organization PETA is offering a reward of up to $5,000 to help find a missing dog that was seen on video being abused in a Portland apartment building elevator.
The reward comes after 25-year-old Isaac Booker Justham was indicted by a grand jury on multiple counts of aggravated animal abuse, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced Friday. The indictment comes after Justham pleaded not guilty to felony abuse.
While Justham was questioned by police, authorities said he never provided information about where the dog could be found.
"PETA offers rewards when we believe that with a little incentive, a case will get the break it needs. It's very likely that someone knows about this dog's whereabouts, which is why we're hopeful the reward will encourage them to come forward with information to help bring this dog to safety," PETA Corporate Responsibility Officer Emily Giuce told KOIN 6 News.
"Cruelty to animals should be a huge red flag to the community, since people who abuse and kill animals rarely do so only once, and often go on to threaten humans too," Giuce added.
Justham was arrested Aug. 17 after police released surveillance video in early August from an apartment building near 500 NE Holladay St. during their search for the suspected abuser. The video appeared to show Justham whipping the dog with a leash in an elevator.
At one point in the video, another person entered the elevator, and Justham appeared to stop but resumes after the person leaves. The video also appeared to show Justham raising a heavy rope above his head with both hands before once again striking the dog.
Police gave descriptions of additional instances of abuse not seen in the publicly released footage — including that Justham allegedly hung the dog from a fire extinguisher and repeatedly kicked it.
PETA said the dog appears to be a black labrador retriever and the organization encourages community members to contact Portland police if they see it.
"Anyone should contact police the second they see the dog, because what we're really wanting is to secure the dog and have them be brought to professionals," Giuce said.
“This dog is surely frightened and traumatized and may have sustained serious injuries,” PETA Senior Vice President Colleen O’Brien added. “PETA asks anyone with information to come forward immediately so that this dog can get the care he or she urgently needs.”
